Inequality in Access to Improved Water and Sanitation in Africa

Notwithstanding the concerted efforts of governments and international agencies in many African countries, improved water supply and sanitation coverage is still a mirage. Most national legal and institutional frameworks remain undeveloped. This is mainly due to too many incongruent policies and agencies that bear no responsibilities for sustainable improved water and sanitation delivery. Other reasons include: rate of socioeconomic development that far outweighs the level of water supply and sanitation, corruption, pitiable service delivery orientation, poor data collection and monitoring, epileptic power supply, poor maintenance and management culture which accounts for the regular breakdown of water and sanitation facilities. There is a need for African governments and all agencies to recommit themselves to the development of groundwater and surface resources